lungimsam

I like having my feet attached to the pedals because they keep my feet in place on descents when I hit bumps at high speed so I won't get bounced off the bike, but lately I am getting tired of walking in clipless pedal shoes when off the bike and I need to amble around for a while. Even with the MTB shoes and MTB clipless pedals I still have to walk funny.

So I was wondering will using just toe clips (no straps) keep my feet in place on descents when I hit bumps at high speed so I won't get bounced off the pedals? I don't want straps, because that would be another encumbrance to fumble with. I just wanna get in and get out easy - stick my toes in and pedal away.

Does it work for you all? Can anyone recommend any types that might work better for my purposes than others? Bigger cage? Longer cage? Does it have to be a clip specifically designed for no strap use?

I don't care about efficiency of pedalling, pedalling in circles, or powering thru 360 degrees of the pedal stroke - just staying attached so I don't bounce off the bike. I mainly commute and fun rec rides.

Thanks for any help.

Spoonrobot 

You can, several members here use clips without straps. There are even mini-clips available for sale that are designed to be used without straps.

See the second picture: https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...tem-and-cleats

stapfam

There is a clip that is made of hard Plastic? and is called a half clip over here. The clip is pretty rigid and does not use straps and I find them preferable to clips and straps.

wahoonc

I use half clips on my city bike, no straps involved. I don't know how well they would work in a rough trail situation. I have used toe clips and straps on my mountain bike for years, I just kept the straps loose on the technical stuff for easy pull out.

Aaron

MichaelW

You can use loose straps, they need no cinching or fumbling, you just put your feet in and take your feet out.
Stiff leather straps are better than nylon and if you put a twist inside the pedal cage, the strap stays in place.

Jamesw2

I use these https://www.jensonusa.com/!4enE3kQao6...medium=organic on the hybrid and the touring

By pushing the counter weight out and putting just enough weight in for neutral balance.

I also have an adapter plate with a clip type that fits on the Look clipless
something like this that fits on my old Look clipless pedals https://bicyclepedalclipsshop.blogspo...ess-pedal.html

10 Wheels

40,000 plus miles with these.

https://www.outsideoutfitters.com/ps-...toe-clips.aspx

mprelaw

They can even be a little snug, and be easy to pull out of. Nylon snaps stretch, and most of them come with cheap buckles that will allow the strap to loosen over the course of a ride anyway.

fairymuff

I use half clips for just this reason, and they do the job perfectly with a minimum of fuss, and any footwear you like (within reason). Highly recommended, and cheap as chips.

rebel1916

I once ran about 6 miles in spd shoes, while pushing a bike so as not to DNF a mountain bike race. There is no reason to be walking funny in mountain bike shoes...

JanMM

Don't use toe clips without straps; use mini-clips as previously suggested.

Maybe you would be better off using power grips?

Velo Dog

This works for me, too. You might also look at Power Grips, but I like toe clips with loose-ish straps.

lungimsam

Can't help it. All I hear and feel is "scrape, scrape, scrape" of the cleats on the sidewalk.
They are Speedplay frogs (cleat is like an spd cleat). I can't use SPD. Only speedplays have enough toe-out rotation so they don't hurt.

lungimsam

Why not? The regular deep clips look like they will hold the foot over the top better than mini-clips. I would get the deep clips, whether mini or regular, so as to accomodate walking shoes. I am sure I will wind up getting and trying both regular and minis.

I tried Power Grips. I didn't like them. Never felt I could get my foot in far enough.

wahoonc

Also be aware of the fact that toe clips come in a variety of sizes. I use a variety of toe clips and that is my preference.

Aaron

RaleighSport

I have half clips, strapless clips, and a pair of toe clips with straps, by far my favorites are the strapless clips easy in and out, they hold my foot well and give me a lot more power transfer than without, yesterday I undid the straps on my one set of toe clips and rode my bike like that, definitely prefer ones made to be strapless.

JanMM

Many toe clips are too flimsy without the strap. That would be more of an issue with traditional road style than the mountain style.

fietsbob

the fixie crowd has made a market for a double strap without the toe clip.

I don't do the adrenaline powered routes,

so my feet bouncing off the pedals at high speed just does not happen.

toe clips do position your foot consistently over the pedal axis.

but so does the contoured shape of Ergon pedals .. That is on my daily commuter.

SwampDude

Ergon pedals? Do they require special shoes? How'd they hold the shoe? Thanks.

Machka 

I use these: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...60_-1___202530 - Shimano PDM324 Multi-Purpose Mountain Bike Pedals, and I really like them. I've got them on all my bicycles now.

I also use Lake Mountain Bike Shoes which allow me to walk normally. I've walked some distance in them quite comfortably.

Chilidawg

Why not? I've been doing it with no ill effects for 30+ years.

fietsbob

NO.
you press down on them to go forward,
there is friction tape like off skateboard decks,
in the center and the shape is concave.
https://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/product/pc2

lungimsam

Got some MKS GR-9's and MKS deep clips...feet are snug as a bug in a rug, but I think I need the medium or small size clips....arrrrgggghhhh, and I used the sizing chart and the clips are still too long. Spindle too far behind ball of foot. Otherwise, I love the clips n straps.

lungimsam

OK, got the medium clips and seems really good now.
Thanks everyone for the info! I am so glad I can just get off the bike and walk now, but also stay safe by having feet held onto the pedals while riding by the clips. The clips keep the feet snugged down real well.

chapel

I'm using Christophe Specials without straps

I have the straps, but certain shoes I might be wearing get caught on the pedals which have lead to some sketchy dismounts...
My flat bottom Adidas shoes are fine, but my running shoes get caught when trying to remove my foot by pulling back. I have to twist them out to the side.